A review of the geotechnical and construction problems in sabkha environments and methods of treatment

Abstract EN

Sabkha constitutes one of a variety of saline soils that are well-distributed in the Middle East and around the globe.

Numerous factors play different roles in the genesis of the sabkha system and therefore characterize the extent of sabkha both horizontally and vertically.

The variability of their geotechnical properties and the presence of highly concentrated brines are the distinguishing features of sabkha soils.

These characteristics render sabkha a typical “salt-full” and “water-sensitive” environment, and pose several unresolved problems for the construction industry in general and for geotechnical engineers in particular.

These problems are further accentuated by the fact that sabkha is not a “normal” soil and therefore previous experience with other soils cannot directly be duplicated.

Written from an engineering perspective, this paper presents a state-of-the-art report on sabkha soil with regard to: its geotechnical problems as a soil and as a construction material, the problems associated with substructures embedded in sabkha environments, and the preventive measures to overcome these problems.

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Al-Amoudi The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 20, Number 3.